Color and Grim: The Rule of Gray

The Reign of Black and Gray

For over a decade, dark colors have dominated the European market. These shades, which are considered refined, neutral, and more « premium, » attract both manufacturers and buyers. This dominance is mechanically reflected in claim statistics: 34.5% of black vehicles and 30.2% of gray vehicles are included in Leocare's records.
However, color does not tell the whole story. Black cars are more often targeted for theft and vandalism (nearly 39% of incidents), primarily because they are usually higher-valued, parked in densely populated urban areas, and belong to higher-end models. Gray cars, on the other hand, suffer from their widespread presence: they experience more glass breakage (32.2%) than the average, despite being less exposed to severe weather.
This trend is more pronounced in the premium segment: Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, or Tesla heavily favor dark tones. The result: 73% of incidents in this category involve black or gray vehicles, compared to only 60% for mainstream brands.

Other Colors Tell a Story Too

The ubiquitous white car, commonly found in corporate fleets, symbolizes daily mobility. It accounts for 58% of collisions involving third parties and 24% of glass breakage incidents. This isn't due to any inherent risk, but simply a matter of exposure: the more a vehicle is on the road, the higher its chances of being involved in an incident.
Blue, a popular color choice for family or leisure vehicles, is 2.4 times more affected by weather-related events. While this figure might raise eyebrows, it can be explained more by the geographic distribution of usage (rural areas, outdoor parking) than by any meteorological curse.
As for red vehicles, often linked with speed or boldness, they emerge unscathed by this analysis: there is no measurable increase in accident rates. « Red draws attention, not accidents, » jokes an expert from Leocare.

Insurance: Neutral Colors, Real Risks

Contrary to popular belief, insurers do not set premiums based on the color of the vehicle. “Rates are based on objective criteria: driver profile, model, power, geographic area, usage, and claims history,” explains Christophe Dandois, co-founder of Leocare.
He sees this study as an illustration of the power of data to refine services: “Each piece of information helps to better understand behaviors, anticipate usage, and tailor the customer relationship.”
In short, your favorite color does not affect your insurance premium, but it does say a little about how you experience the road. And in that regard, gray remains king.